Hello everyone! Today, I’ll be covering a topic that we often get inquiries about: how to choose pickups for acoustic guitars.
1. What are Acoustic Guitar Pickups?
Acoustic guitars, much like violins, rely on the vibration of the strings being transferred to the body, which resonates and amplifies the sound. While playing in small venues, at home, or on the street, you might be able to achieve sufficient volume as is, but when performing in larger venues or playing alongside loud instruments like drums, you’ll need to amplify the sound. The simplest way is to place a microphone in front of the guitar, similar to how you’d mic a vocal performance. However, this can be problematic, as moving around during the performance becomes difficult, and the mic might pick up unwanted sounds from other instruments, potentially causing feedback. This is where acoustic guitar pickups come into play, allowing you to amplify the sound without relying on a microphone.
2. Types of Acoustic Guitar Pickups
So, what types of acoustic guitar pickups are available?
They can be divided into four main categories, which I’ll introduce below.
■ Piezo Pickup
This is the most standard type of pickup and is often built into commercially available acoustic-electric guitars. A piezo pickup is installed on the underside of the bridge, where piezoelectric elements convert the vibrations transmitted from the bridge saddle into electrical signals.
Since piezo pickups directly capture the string vibrations, they have a quick attack and are relatively resistant to feedback. The sound is characterized by a bright, high-end tone often described as a ‘shimmering’ sound. Additionally, because the pickup is mounted internally, it doesn’t affect the guitar’s design or appearance. However, most piezo pickups require drilling for installation to pass the wiring through, which includes creating holes for the saddle and endpin jack.
Famous models include the L.R.Baggs Ibeam and Element Series.
L.R.BAGGS / Ibeam Pickup System for Acoustic
L.R.BAGGS / ELEMENT ACTIVE SYSTEM
■ Magnetic Pickup
Structurally, magnetic pickups are the same as those used in electric guitars. They use magnets and coils to convert string vibrations into electrical signals. Many magnetic pickups can be mounted in the soundhole, making them easy to install and relatively resistant to feedback. The sound produced is warmer and softer compared to piezo pickups. Notable models include the L.R.Baggs M1 Series and Fishman Rare Earth Series.
*Magnetic pickups only capture the vibrations of steel strings, so they cannot pick up sound from nylon strings.
L.R.BAGGS / M1 ACTIVE
FISHMAN / RARE EARTH HUMBUCKING
■ Condenser Microphone
A condenser microphone can be installed inside the guitar body to capture the sparkling high frequencies and airiness unique to acoustic guitars. However, compared to the other two types, condenser mics tend to pick up the sound of other instruments and are more prone to feedback. This makes them trickier to handle and requires more expertise. These are generally more suited for acoustic setups rather than loud band performances.
AKG / C411/L
■ Hybrid Type
This type combines the previously mentioned pickups, blending their strengths to achieve a higher-quality sound. For example, the magnetic pickup could output the foundation of the sound (mid and low frequencies), while the condenser microphone adds airiness and high frequencies. One benefit of hybrid systems is the ability to adjust the blend of the two sounds, making it easier to tailor the sound to your preference. Popular models include L.R.Baggs Anthem (piezo + condenser mic) and Fishman Rare Earth Blend (magnetic + condenser mic).
4.Installing Pickups
If you are using a magnetic type pickup, you can easily attach it yourself by fixing it to the guitar’s soundhole, and it will output sound without much hassle. However, if you want to install a jack in the endpin, or if you’re using a piezo pickup or hybrid type, some modifications to the guitar will be necessary. If you don’t have experience with installation, we recommend that you ask a professional repair shop for help. For customers who purchase pickups from us, we also offer installation services, so feel free to contact us.
5.Conclusion
How was that? The bright sound of the strings and the warm resonance of the body are the charms of an acoustic guitar. You want to enjoy performing in a way that allows those qualities to shine through, even in live settings. We hope this guide helps you choose the right pickup for your guitar and playing situation!
～2025 Recommended Ranking～
1位
L.R.Baggs / Anthem
2位
FISHMAN / NEO-D Single Coil Magnetic Soundhole Pickup
3位
L.R.Baggs / Lyric
4位
SHADOW / SH712
5位
L.R.Baggs / Element Active System VTC
（2022-01-12 published 2025-01-24 updated）
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